Dick Francis

Associated Press

The champion jockey became a bestselling British mystery writer. After retiring from racing, Francis wrote more than 40 novels, many with racing as a theme. He was made a Commander of the British Empire in 2000 and named a Grand Master by the Crime Writers' Assn. He was 89.

The champion jockey became a bestselling British mystery writer. After retiring from racing, Francis wrote more than 40 novels, many with racing as a theme. He was made a Commander of the British Empire in 2000 and named a Grand Master by the Crime Writers' Assn. He was 89. (Associated Press)

The champion jockey became a bestselling British mystery writer. After retiring from racing, Francis wrote more than 40 novels, many with racing as a theme. He was made a Commander of the British Empire in 2000 and named a Grand Master by the Crime Writers' Assn. He was 89.